Dennis Daugaard on Technology

E-Government: government online, not standing in line

The "Better Government" initiative [includes] the implementation of e-Government. You may have heard me say this in the past, but it bears repeating. In our digital age, state government's motto should be "online, not standing in line."

For example, the Department of Revenue has installed self-service terminals throughout the state to make it easier for citizens to renew their vehicle license tags.
The Bureau of Human Resources has moved to an entirely electronic system for announcing job openings and accepting applications.

In the past year, the Bureau of Information and Telecommunications has worked with agencies to complete 22 different
e-Government projects, and have another 40 more in process. These efforts will make government more efficient and more accessible to our citizens. That is what good stewardship is about. We run state government efficiently to benefit the people we serve.

Highways are lifeline in SD, so supports federal funding

While interstate commerce is essential, so are the travel needs of South Dakotans for business and leisure. Rural highways deliver agricultural crops and livestock to market, are pathways to South Dakota's tourist attractions, and link people to their
jobs, essential services and extended families. It is imperative that South Dakota not lose any of its federal highway funding. In a rural state such as this, our road system is an essential transportation lifeline.

Source: 2011 gubernatorial press release "Archives"
, Aug 23, 2011

Secure $29M for deep underground lab

I would like to update you on developments at the Sanford Underground Lab. Biology and geology experiments are already being conducted at the lab and nearly all of our state universities are participating. More experiments are preparing to commence this
year. $29 million in funding is being withheld by the NSF [due to land issues]. I will keep working to secure this funding so the lab can continue to operate while a new agreement is reached, securing the deep underground lab for our state and our nation